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Struggling with Work? John Wooden spent years mastering this exact challenge. This collection captures their most practical insights on Work, each quote backed by source context so you can trace the thinking. Whether you need immediate guidance or long-term frameworks, John Wooden's approach cuts through the noise and gives you actionable wisdom. Use this archive whenever you're making decisions about Work and need clarity from someone who's been there.
"If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes."
"Flexibility is the key to stability."
"Happiness begins where selfishness ends."
"Talent is God given. Be humble. Fame is man-given. Be grateful. Conceit is self-given. Be careful."
"Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
"Don't let yesterday take up too much of today."
"Much can be accomplished by teamwork when no one is concerned about who gets credit."
"The best competition I have is against myself to become better."
"Activity is not achievement."
"Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character."
"You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one."
"Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming."
"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"
"Seek opportunities to show you care. The smallest gestures often make the biggest difference."
"Don't look at the scoreboard. It's not about the score, it's about the effort."
"Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day."
Book: Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court
"We don't want to be as good as the competition. We want to be better than the competition."
"Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way."
"The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."
"Failure to prepare is preparing to fail."
"The harder you work, the more luck you will have."
"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation."
"Make each day your masterpiece."
"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."
"Never mistake activity for achievement."
"Conditioning: Mental, moral, and physical. Rest, exercise and diet must be considered. Moderation must be practiced. Dissipation must be eliminated."
"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there."
"Industriousness: There is no substitute for work."
"It is what you learn after you know it all that counts."
"Be quick, but don't hurry."
"Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability."
"Nothing will work unless you do."
Book: Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court
"There is no substitute for work. Worthwhile results come from hard work and careful planning."
"Discipline yourself, and others won't need to."
"Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out."
Seeing how John Wooden approaches Work helps you apply the idea with more precision.
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"Use this collection whenever you need John Wooden's lens on Work."